Esper calls S. Korea-U.S. alliance linch pin of peace and security

The new Defense Secretary of
the United States, Mark Esper said on Friday that the R.O.K-U.S. alliance is the
linchpin of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia.

The remarks came at the start
of talks with South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong Doo in Seoul.

Esper also said the United
States is willing to engage diplomatically with North Korea to make progress in
efforts for denuclearization but sanctions on Pyongyang will remain until the
regime gives up its nuclear program.